Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1882
E, “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZ L MAINTAIN.” AND OUR RIGHTS WE WIL Posey County’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
$1.00
(USPS S4 439-500) 39 500)) Volume 135 Edition 3
New Harmony says ‘No’ to County bridge offer By Valerie Werkmeister Members of the New Harmony Town Council tossed the proverbial ball back into the Posey County Commissioners’ court when they rejected the commissioners’ interlocal agreement plan for the Harmony Way Bridge during their council meeting last Thursday, January 15. In December, the commissioners stated they would assume ownership of the bridge only if several conditions were met. In a draft document entitled ‘Agreement for Assurances for purchase of Harmony Way Bridge,’ the commissioners spell out several conditions that must be met before they continue on the path to take ownership of the bridge.
The first condition states that the Town of New Harmony must secure $100,000 to be applied to the comprehensive inspection proposal by CHA by February 1, 2015. If the town fails to do this, the county will begin the process to convey the bridge to the town. The second condition states the town must secure sufficient funding for a full repair of the bridge to allow vehicular traffic. There is some concern that the bridge will no longer be safe for vehicular traffic, but may be used for a foot bridge, golf carts or other ATVtype vehicles. There are a number of stipulations in the third condition that requests the town to assume all responsibility for the obligations
that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) places on the county. Some of the conditions include the town paying for all preliminary engineering, environmental, utility relocation, right of way acquisition and design work for the demolition contract. In addition, it states the town must coordinate with both states to coordinate demolition activities. The town will have to pay for and relocate its gas pipeline as well as other utility lines. The New Harmony Town Council has already been working on a plan to accomplish this task. Finally, the county asked the town to handle obtaining any permits that are required for clearance of the Harmony Way Bridge’s
status as a historic structure. The agreement states that if the town fails to do or meet any of these conditions, it will begin the process to convey the bridge to the town. It states, “This right to convey is unconditional and is not subject to rejection by the town for any reason.” Council member Andrew Wilson stated in the December town council meeting that the document, “essentially told us we’re going to do everything.” The council requested their attorney, Adam Farrar, to review the document in December and provide them with his recom-
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Three captured in chases Special to the News officers deployed ‘stop-sticks’ in the roadway Posey County Deputies were involved in which punctured and deflated the tires of the two vehicle pursuits this past week which re- fleeing vehicle. The vehicle then stopped and sulted in the arrest of three individuals. the driver was taken into custody without inOn Thursday morning at approximately 3 cident. a.m., Deputy Justin Rutledge (while off duty) The driver was identified as 35-year-old stopped to check a vehicle that was parked Ammon Hamm of North Miami Beach, Fla. partially on Hamm has the roadway outstanding just south of warrants in Cynthiana. California As he apfor crimes of proached, elder abuse Rutledge and in Florfound a male ida for theft. subject sleepSheriff McDurmon Vukovich Hamm ing in the Greg Oeth 2012 silver Hyundai with Pennsylvania li- was notified that neither state would comcense plates. When the individual awoke, he mit to extraditing Hamm. The Posey County moved behind the steering wheel, denied the Sheriff’s Department received information request from the deputy to step out of the ve- from the Pennsylvania State Police, that there hicle, shifted the vehicle into drive and sped is interest in Hamm in the State of Pennsylfrom the scene. vania. Hamm was transported to the Posey Rutledge pursued the vehicle through Cyn- County Jail and lodged and faces charges of thiana, and then east on State Road 68. Police Resisting Law Enforcement and several trafunits from Fort Branch and the Gibson Coun- fic offenses. ty Sheriff’s Department assisted in interceptContinued on Page A14 ing the vehicle near Haubstadt. The assisting
Michelle Hudson, left, receives the United Way Volunteer of the Year award from Pat Beckgerd, United Way of Posey County President, at Thursday evenings annual meeting held at Alexandrian Public Library. Photo by Theresa Bratcher
New North Posey School Board hits ground running By Valerie Werkmeister Many new faces surrounded the table at the MSD of North Posey School Board meeting. With the exception of Geoff Gentil, four new members were elected to serve on the board. Their first order of business was to choose a president and Gentil was chosen for the position. Gregg Schmitt will serve as the vice president and the secretary position was given to Vince Oakley. Carol Lupfer was reappointed as the district treasurer and Jayme Bender will continue to serve as the deputy
treasurer. Attorney William H. Bender will continue as the board’s attorney. Gentil and Brett Stock were chosen to serve on the Board of Finance. Amy Will was chosen as the policy liaison and Oakley will also serve as the legislative liaison. The new board also chose to keep their salaries the same as previous boards. They will be paid an annual salary of $2,000 and $100 per meeting. They will not receive any additional pay for their attendance in special
Briefly Troop 387 to host pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner Boy Scout Troop 387 will host a pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, January 31. The pancake breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m. Breakfast includes: pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit, coffee, milk or juice. A minimum donation of $5 is requested. Dinner service will be held from 4:30 - 7 p.m. and includes spaghetti, breadsticks, salad and tea or lemonaid. Desserts will also be available. Both meals will be held in the Poseyville Community Center. St. Philip Catholic School hosting ‘Check Us Out’ open house St. Philip Catholic School is hosting a ‘Check Us Out!’ open house night for prospective families on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guests will tour the school, meet the teachers and ask questions about the Kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum, programs and community. St. Philip School also offers an all-day pre-school and prekindergarten enrichment program. For questions, call Principal Andrea Lodato-Dickel at 985-2447. MVCC invites public to evening of fellowship Mount Vernon Community Church is hosting an evening of fellowship with soups, sandwiches, and a variety of musical performances on January 25. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with the meal and the music will follow. All are welcome to attend this free event. Conservation Breakfast Offered Your local Soil & Water Districts – Posey, Gibson, Pike, Vanderburgh and Warrick – invite you to join them on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairgrounds for their Annual Conservation Breakfast. Tickets are free and can be obtained by registering with your local SWCD or on-line at www.conservationbreakfast.eventbrite. com; reservations are requested. Featured speaker this year is James Hoorman, Ohio State University who will cover ‘The Economic Benefits of Cover Crops.’ Breakfast will be catered by Grandy’s. For more information, you can call the Posey SWCD at 812-838-4191, ext. 3. BB gun spot shoot planned The Sons of American Legion, Owen Dunn Post No. 5 in Mount Vernon, Ind., will host a BB Gun Spot Shoot for the following four (4) Sundays; February 15, Feb. 22, March 1, and March 8, 2015. These shooting events will be open to the public. You may also bring your own BB gun as long as it is a Daisy ‘Red Rider.’ The Legion will provide 12 BB guns for use. The doors will open at noon with shooting to begin at 1 p.m. If you are looking for something the family could do on a Sunday afternoon, members of the Legion invite you to join them, and truly see who is the real ‘Wyatt Earp of the family.’ These events are sponsored by Warehouse Services, Inc., TMI Inc., J&J Welding, TRCI, and W.D. Schroeder. Historical Society to meet Saturday The Posey County Historical Society will hold its first meeting of the year on Saturday, January 24 at 10 a.m. at Alexandrian Public Library in Mount Vernon. Officers will be elected, and plans for the coming year will be discussed. Everyone is invited to come to this meeting and to join the society as a dues-paying member.
Retrospective ...... A 4 Legals ............... B 6 - 7 Classifieds ........ B 7 - 8 Community ......... A 5
Deaths .............. ...A3 Church ................ A 7 Social .................. A 5 School ................. A 6
meetings. Conflict of interest statements were signed by Oakley, Schmitt, Will, Gentil and Angie Wannemuehler. Once the appointments were completed, Dr. Todd Camp opened the public hearing for the proposed lease and additional appropriation hearing for the design build process. Patrons were allowed to ask questions concerning the proposed projects at each schools. Some of the proposed projects include new gymnasiums at South Terrace
and North Elementary, improvements to the industrial science and FFA areas at the high school, a science lab renovation and refinished gym floors in both the high school and junior high. The junior high also plans to update and renovate the library into a media plex. Camp explained that once vendors give prices, the board will know what each project cost is and can determine what project they
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Dogs, cats continue to run loose in Cynthiana By Valerie Werkmeister Cynthiana Town Board members may explore ideas about an ordinance requiring dog owners to have their canine companions on a leash outside. A recent attack on Cynthiana Town Marshall Andy Porath’s own dog prompted the conversation at last Tuesday’s town board meeting. Porath said his dog was outside on his property when two neighbor dogs left their property and attacked his dog. Prior to the incident, there had been no conflicts with the dogs. Porath said his dog stays in his yard with the help of an underground electronic fence. He questioned whether the town currently
had a leash law ordinance or would consider the option to create one. Clerk-Treasurer Greta Mounts stated the town doesn’t currently have such an ordinance. Porath pointed out that since the county only employs one animal control officer to cover the entire county, the town may want to consider an ordinance that would require registering dogs. He felt this may aid Porath and animal control officer, Chuck Mobley, when they encounter roaming dogs. “At least then, we’ll know who to return the dog to,” Porath said. Roaming dogs and strays are not a new
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Council hears bypass pitch By Valerie Werkmeister Representatives from American Structure Point, an architectural and engineering firm based in Indianapolis, urged members of the Posey County Council to act on a contract they presented to begin work on a western bypass around Mount Vernon. During the first meeting of the new year, council members heard a presentation from Greg Kicinski, Road Group Leader, for American Structure Point who stated the goal is to complete the bypass 14 months prior to the opening of the proposed Midwest Fertilizer plant. Kicinski stated Midwest Fertilizer is expected to break ground soon and is expected to take approximately 42-months to construct. It is expected to open by the end of 2018. A western bypass will alleviate traffic congestion caused by additional truck and construction traffic carrying materials to the plant. He added that the bypass will introduce new economic opportunities and devel-
Sports ........... B1, 3-4 Bus/Ag ................ A 8 Opinion ............. A 1 3 TV Guide........ A9-10
opment to that area. The longest portion of the project involves obtaining the necessary right-of-way along the route for the bypass. Currently, a 400foot wide corridor has been designated as the possible route for the bypass. Surveys are necessary in order to pinpoint gas lines and utility lines in order to narrow and define the specific route the bypass will take. Kacinski stated they would prefer to use LIDAR as a more cost effective and faster means of surveying the area. He cautioned that a ground survey would take much longer. He stated the use of LIDAR would have to be done soon, before crops are planted and leaves grow back on the trees. If the county entered the contract with American Structure Point soon, the company would begin work before the end of this month. The contract he presented included 30 percent of the de-
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